Patoka Sportsman 1-30-21

Patoka Sportsman 1-30 & 1-31-21

This is the time of year when Hunter Ed. Classes take place. An Indiana Hunter Ed. Class will take place Feb. 13 & 14 at the West Side Sportsman Club in Evansville from 8 AM to 2 PM both days. The Perry County Coon Club will host a Hunter Ed. Class on Monday, Feb. 22 through Thursday, Feb. 25 from 5-7 PM each evening. Another class will be held on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 at the Crawford County Community Park in Marengo. Indiana Hunter Education Courses will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearm use and handling while hunting, as well as in the home, hunter ethics and responsibility, game identification, and conservation management. Anyone born after December 31, 1986 is required to be certified in Hunter Education before they can purchase a hunting license.

The Dubois County Sportsmen’s Club Gun Raffle scheduled for January 25 has been extended until May 17. It will still be held at the Jasper Moose Lodge. If you are a member who has sold tickets or has tickets you will not be selling please turn them in at The Great Outdoors. Tickets can also be purchased at the Great Outdoors. If you have antlers to be measured after the minimum 60 day drying period please contact Rick Pflanz at 812-639-9006 to make an appointment to get them measured. It will take approximately 45-60 minutes to get this done. You must bring the Pope and Young report to the meeting for the big buck contest. This will probably be at the August meeting at St. Anthony Conservation Club. All of this is subject to change due to Covid 19 restrictions.

The St. Anthony Conservation Club will hold their 10^th Annual 3D 30 target Archery Expo on Saturday, March 27. 3D registration is from 8AM – 1 PM. Raffle and activities will run from 8AM – 3:30 PM. The event will follow current CDC guidelines. There is a $10 entry fee. If shooters are 10 or younger they can shoot for free. Shooters will be entered for a chance to win a St. Anthony Mill mineral package. Prizes will be awarded including a prize target shooting for over $3,000 in prizes. An official scorer will also be there. Food and drinks will be available. Make sure to check out the on-site vendors, DNR, new truck & ATV displays. Bowhunter Magazine founder M.R. James will also be there to share stories. Tickets are available on site or from any club member. For more information follow St. Anthony Conservation Club on Facebook or call 812-630-1670.

Public comments are being accepted on proposed rule changes that govern equipment for turkey hunting (includes adding the .410 and #9 TSS shot), muzzleloaders for deer hunting (to allow powder to be loaded from the breech end), and the beaver trapping season (removes starting and ending times). You can submit comments online at www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm using the “Comment on this rule” link in the Rules Docket for the FW Deer and Turkey Hunting Equipment Amendments. The deadline for public comments is February 12, 2021 at 11:59 pm. The list of proposed amendments with additional information about each proposal is at: wildlife.IN.gov/2362.htm.

Area bow shoots will be starting soon. Branchville is February 7, Beaver lake is February 14 and Patoka Lake’s shoot is on Feb. 21. Branchville is usually on the first Sunday of the month. Beaver Lake’s shoot is on the Second Sunday of the month and Patoka Lakes Shoot is on the third Sunday of the month.

All 2020 annual hunting and fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2021. The 2021 annual licenses are on sale now, but are not valid until April 1. Buy your license early online: on.IN.gov/INHuntFish.

The Indiana State Trappers Association is sponsoring a habitat and Predator management Class March 20 starting at 9 AM EST at the Duff Conservation Club. Topics covered include: habitat management, benefits of predator management, predator calling and predator trapping. You will be outside so dress for the weather. For more information contact Matt Badger at 765-615-2394. Cost is $35 for adults. Kids 16 and under are $20. There will be a limit of 25 students. Lunch will be provided.

Reserved spring turkey hunt applications will close Feb. 22. No late entries will be accepted. The online method is the only way to apply. Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt for which they are applying. Even though there is no fee to apply, you must still add the registration to the cart, “Proceed to Checkout,” and “Place Order”. Applicants must place an order to complete the application process. Non-hunting partners who plan to call in turkeys must be properly licensed. Draw result notifications will be emailed within two weeks after the application deadline. All regulations and bag limits apply. Click here to begin your application and have your Customer ID handy.

As part of ongoing research with Purdue University, the DNR needs teeth from coyotes hunted or trapped during the regulated season. Teeth are needed from 30 Indiana counties including: Brown, Crawford, Floyd, Greene, Harrison, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange and Perry. The DNR needs several hundred coyote teeth to make this project successful. You can request teeth envelopes and an instruction sheet by emailing [email protected] or calling 812-822-3304.